In some cases, this grinding mechanism can leave behind tiny bits of food that remain at disposal. When you run the water after using your garbage disposal, these particles can be flushed away from the unit and into your home's drain lines.
If left untreated, this can lead to larger issues, such as clogged drains or serious plumbing problems. Luckily though, there are several ways that you can fix this issue.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell Like Sewage?
If you notice an unpleasant, sewage-like odor coming from your kitchen sink or bathroom drains, it may be that there is something stuck in your plumbing pipes or plumbing vent stack leading to the roof of your home. This could be anything from grease buildup to tree roots invading your pipes. The foul smell could also be from a sewer line break outside your home or a gas leak inside your home!
Suppose you notice this type of foul odor coming from your drains. In that case, you must contact a professional plumber as soon as possible so they can determine if there is something wrong with your plumbing system before attempting any DIY fixes yourself!
Reasons The Garbage Disposal Smells Bad
Food particles get stuck in the blades and drain holes of the garbage disposal unit. Food particles include fat, grease, oil, chicken bones or other animal bones, rice, pasta, and other grains. If these particles build up inside the drain holes of your garbage disposal unit, they will begin to rot and produce an odor.
Clogged
The drain pipe connecting your sink to the main sewer line has a clog. If you have a clog in this pipe, you will notice an unpleasant smell coming from your sink when you turn on the water. You may also notice that water drains slowly from your sink when you turn on the faucet.
Improper Use Of Chemicals
Another possible cause of sewer smell from garbage disposal is improper use of chemicals in your home or plumbing lines. Do not put chemicals down your drain unless specifically designed for this purpose; doing so can damage the pipes and septic system over time.
Buildup Grease
A buildup of grease, food scraps, and other debris in the drain lines or pipes can lead to clogs and leaks.
The Unit Is Not Working Properly
If you notice that your garbage disposal is making strange sounds or that water isn't draining properly from the sink when you turn on the tap, there may be something wrong with your unit. In this case, it's best to contact an experienced plumber as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem before other issues arise.
Lack of water
Food particles may only be completely washed away if you run enough water while using a garbage disposal. This leaves them sitting in the drain pipes, where they can fester and cause bad odors. Ensure you run plenty of cold water while using your garbage disposal to wash away any remaining food particles.
Excessive Food Buildup
Food buildup can occur anywhere in your plumbing system, including around the drain opening. If this happens frequently and needs to be cleaned up quickly enough, it can lead to odors coming out into other areas of your home through drain openings and vent pipes connected to them.
Your Plumbing System
If you have older plumbing in your home that needs to be maintained properly, it could be causing problems with your drains and pipes. As part of regular maintenance on your plumbing system, ensure all joints are sealed properly, so no air escapes into the drainage system or between pipes when using the sink, bathtub, or shower.
The Sink Trap
The sink trap is that U-shaped bend in the drainpipe under your sink where water flows out of your faucet but doesn't go down into the pipe leading to the septic tank or city sewer system. It's designed to keep air from getting into your drainage pipes, which would allow odors from inside your house to escape into the outside world. If this part gets clogged up with hair or other debris, it can cause backpressure in your pipes, which can cause bad smells from other parts of the house (like your refrigerator) to come out.
The Septic Tank
The septic tank is a separate tank buried under your house, where wastewater from toilets and drains goes after it's filtered through a layer of sand and gravel. You can usually tell if there's something wrong with this tank by looking at its cover: If you see bubbles coming out of it, there's a problem inside. This could be caused by too much water going down the drain (when you flush too many things at once) or by a blockage in the sewage lines that brings water back into the house instead of letting it go out.
Bits Of Food May Cause a Bad Smell
Check inside your disposal for any bits of food that may have gotten caught in the blades. Remove any debris with long-handled tongs before resetting the unit and turning it back on.
How to Fix A Smelly Garbage Disposal? - Home Made Solutions
If the garbage disposal works properly, it can become an affordable nuisance instead of a helpful appliance. Here are some tips for troubleshooting and repairing smelly garbage disposal:
Let The Water Flow Correctly
If your garbage disposal is making unusual sounds or not grinding up food as well as it used to, check the water flow first. If there is no water from the sink or faucet when you turn on the disposal, turn off the power at the breaker box and unplug the disposer. Ensure all drain lines are clear by using a snake or removing them if necessary. Then put everything back together again and test it out. If there's still no water running through the pipes after that, you may need to call an electrician.
DIY Trick
If you want to get rid of a bad smell in your sink, but want to avoid replacing the disposal, try this simple trick.
Step 1: Use a bottle brush and run it through the disposal. This will help loosen any food particles stuck in the blades or drain.
Step 2: Pour 1/2 cup of bleach down the disposal, followed by 1/2 cup of baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes before running hot water through it.
Remove Large Or Small Food Pieces From Garbage Disposal
Use tongs to remove large pieces of food from your garbage disposal unit. You may need to use pliers or another tool if stubborn pieces of food are stuck in the drain opening at the bottom of the unit. Use tongs and pliers to loosen large pieces of food lodged in your drain line or between blades inside your disposer's grinding chamber.
Clean Disposal Regularly With Soapy Water And Brush
Limiting the amount of food waste you put down in your sink will help reduce the likelihood that you'll have an odor problem. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, so you should clean the disposal regularly with hot soapy water and a brush. Cleaning out your disposal is particularly important if there is a blockage in the drain line. A little maintenance now can prevent major problems later.
Commercial Garbage Disposal Cleaning Products
A garbage disposal is an essential part of the kitchen, requiring proper maintenance to keep it in good condition. Consider using a commercial restaurant supply store if you have garbage disposal problems. Many different types of commercial garbage disposal cleaning products can help you get rid of any unwanted odors or remnants from food particles that may have gotten stuck in the blades of your machine. These solutions are also safe for drains and pipes, so you do not have to worry about any damage to your plumbing system when using these commercial products for cleaning.
How To Use Commercial Garbage Disposal Cleaners?
The best way to use commercial garbage disposal cleaners is to run hot water while cleaning the drain. This will help the enzymes dissolve any grease and food particles that might be causing odors in your drain. If you want even more power from your cleaner, add baking soda before pouring it into your drain. The baking soda will help break down any remaining oils that may be causing bad smells after using commercial cleaners alone.
Use a Solution Of Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Warm Water
If the smell comes from around the drain or sink, try filling a bucket with warm water and adding 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Then place your hand over the drain and pour this solution down while running hot water into your sink. This should flush away any debris or buildup that's causing the odor.
Use a Solution Of Dish Detergent, Vinegar, Water
If the smell comes from inside your garbage disposal, try pouring 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain and then running cold water for about 30 seconds afterward. Next, turn on your garbage disposal and let it run for about 30 seconds before turning off the power switch (if your model has one). Repeat this process until no more odors come from your sink or disposal unit.
Pour Mouthwash Into the Drain
If your garbage disposal smells like sewage, pour mouthwash down the drain and run it for a few seconds. The mouthwash should help neutralize the odor in the drain pipes. If it doesn't work, try pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar, which should also help eliminate any lingering odors in your pipes.
Use Citrus Solutions
If you still have bad smells after trying mouthwash and baking soda/vinegar solutions, try pouring citrus fruit juice down your drain instead (orange juice works well). Run water through the disposal after each treatment to flush out any residue from the fruit juice and help dilute any remaining vinegar or lemon juice so they don't cause corrosion on your pipes.
Grind Lemon Or Orange Peels
Cut up some lemon or orange peels into small pieces and put them into the disposal. Turn on the unit and let it grind the peels. The citrus oils in the peels can help to freshen up the disposal and eliminate bad odors.
Use Ice Cubes
Put a handful of ice cubes into the disposal and turn on the unit. The ice will help break up any remaining debris or food particles stuck inside. As a bonus, grinding the ice will also help sharpen the disposal blades.
Use Borax
Borax is often used as an ingredient in household cleaners because it helps break down oils and grease that cause surface stains and odors. The same properties make borax an effective tool for cleaning out smelly garbage disposal. To use borax, pour some into your drain, turn on the water, and let run until all of the borax has dissolved into the water flow. Then, turn off the water and allow everything to sit for about 20 minutes before running hot water through again so that the borax is flushed away from your sink drain.
Use Sewage
If your garbage disposal smells like sewage, there are several things that you can do to get rid of it. One of them is putting some scouring powder down the drain, which will help clear out all the gunk that might be causing the smell in your kitchen. You can also run a lemon rind at your disposal if that doesn't work.
Pour Vinegar Only Into the Drain
You could also try running vinegar through it if you want to use something other than scouring powder, and lemon rinds don't work for you. Vinegar is another good way to get rid of any smells coming from your garbage disposal unit and help with hard water stains on glassware and dishes.
Preventions Of Odors From A Smelly Garbage Disposal
Preventing odors from smelly garbage disposal is key to maintaining a fresh and clean kitchen. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
- Clean the disposal regularly: Regular cleaning can help prevent the buildup of food particles and other debris. Clean the unit with baking soda and vinegar, or use a specialized disposal cleaner once a week.
- Run cold water while using the disposal: Cold water helps to solidify any grease or fat that goes down the drain, making it easier for the disposal to chop it up and prevent clogs. Cold water can also help to keep the disposal blades sharp.
- Avoid putting certain foods down the disposal: Avoid putting foods that are difficult to grind or can cause clogs, such as coffee grounds, bones, eggshells, and fibrous vegetables like celery and artichokes.
- Use citrus peels: Grind lemon or orange peels in the disposal once a week to help freshen up the unit and eliminate bad odors.
- Use ice cubes: Grinding a handful of ice cubes in the disposal can help to sharpen the blades and break up any food particles that may be stuck inside.
- Keep the disposal clean and dry: After using the disposal, make sure to run water for a few seconds to flush out any remaining debris. Wipe the unit with a clean, dry cloth to prevent moisture buildup.
By following these preventative measures, you can help to prevent odors from smelly garbage disposal and keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
List Of Garbage Disposal Cleaners
There are various garbage disposal cleaners available in the market that can help clean and deodorize your disposal. Here are some popular options:
Glisten Disposer Care Cleaner:
This foaming cleaner penetrates and cleans hard-to-reach areas inside your disposal. It also has a pleasant citrus scent that helps to eliminate bad odors.You must want to know how to use Glisten garbage disposal; you can read us here.
Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer:
These small tablets are made with natural ingredients designed to break up and wash away food particles and debris. They also release a pleasant scent to deodorize your disposal.
Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner:
This foaming cleaner is designed to clean and deodorize your disposal, leaving it smelling fresh and clean. You may also know How To Use Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner?
Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria:
This environmentally-friendly product uses natural bacteria and enzymes to break down and digest organic waste, including grease, fat, and food particles. It can be used to clean both your garbage disposal and your drains.
Green Gobbler Refresh Garbage Disposal and Drain Cleaner:
This product is designed to clean and deodorize your disposal and drains. It is made with natural ingredients, including enzymes and essential oils, to eliminate bad odors and clean your disposal.
When using any garbage disposal cleaner, read the instructions carefully and follow all safety precautions. It's also a good idea to research reviews and ratings to find the best cleaner for your needs.
Now, Your Garbage Disposal Is Pleasant
Your kitchen garbage disposal and plumbing are worth remembering- the whole setup of the rubbish disposal is connected to and shares the same piping system as your kitchen sink. If food, grease, or other bits are caught in your disposer, they can go on to cause blockages that could lead to sewage leaks into your home.
